All in the family: Third generation takes reins of Harbor Industries

CHARLEVOIX - After over 40 years of leadership at Harbor Industries, Inc., in Charlevoix, Ted Parker has passed the reins to his son, Tim.

The family-owned and operated business since 1946, is being passed down to the third generation. Effective on the first of this year, Ted Parker passed responsibility for the management of the company to the third generation of his family, Tim Parker, who has assumed the role of president of Harbor Industries. Ted will remain involved with the business as chairman of the board of directors.

"It is a great honor to be the third member of the Parker family to serve as the company president," Tim said. "Very few family owned businesses make the transition from first to the second generation, and even fewer make it the third."

Having grown up around the business it had always been Tim's dream to one day lead the company.

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"I have some very big shoes to fill, following my grandfather and father, but I am looking forward to the challenge. I am confident that with the incredible group of people that we have at Harbor, we will be equally successful in the future," he said.

Tim has a bachelor's degree in general business administration from Michigan State University and a masters of business administration from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

He has played an active, key role in the company since June of 1990. During his tenure with the company, he was responsible for the multi-million dollar, two phase construction of the company's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Charlevoix. He has also led the charge in helping change Harbor's culture to a team-based model, where every employee has ownership and a voice in achieving the company's objectives.

"Our goal as a company is to continue to expand and grow our business," Tim said. "Due to the incredible efforts of our people, we have a reputation that is second to none in our industry. I believe that we can leverage this in order to continue to increase our market share."

Tim said that the company's culture also has a strong focus on continuous improvement.

"We are always trying to make our products better and to provide our clients with the best value," he said. "We our focused on continuing to live our corporate vision of being the preeminent leader in our industry and community."

As part of that focus, Tim was instrumental in organizing the Harbor People Helping People (HP2) teams which encourages employees to become involved in their community. The teams organize quarterly workplace volunteerism opportunities in both Charlevoix and Grand Haven. Leading by example, Tim exemplifies Harbor's core value of "Taking Care of Our Own."

"We are committed to our employees and the communities that we call home," said Tim. "Most of the time, in corporate America, very little consideration is given to community and employee issues in the decision making process. That is not the type of company that Harbor Industries is and not the type of company our family would want to be."

Tim said that above all, the values that his father, Ted, has instilled in both him and the organization are probably his most important leadership legacy.

"He has always told us that 'good things happen to good people'. And time and time again, he has been proven right," Tim said. "One of the company core values that we highlight to all employees is 'We do what is right.' My dad really exemplifies and embodies that value."

Tim said that Ted has always treated the people at Harbor Industries as if they were part of the Parker family.

"In return, we have an incredibly committed work force. I feel that this has been a critical component of our success and plan on continuing that tradition," he said.

In addition to Tim's new role, Cindy Parker Euscher has also been promoted to executive vice president.

Euscher is Ted Parker's daughter and started in the family business in June of 1988. She has a bachelor's degree in business from Central Michigan University and has played a vital role in a number of key areas, including sales and marketing. Euscher is also responsible for overseeing the Harbor Interactive Technologies division and is the management champion of Harbor's sustainable business initiative. This has resulted in the formation of Harbor's "Green Team," a group of employees who focus on reducing Harbor's waste stream and energy consumption.

Leading by example, Euscher's belief in this endeavor exemplifies one of Harbor's core values, "Doing What is Right." Her expanded responsibilities in the area of sales management will have a positive impact on the company in the future.